Cheated On, Traded Up

Sabrina said, "I won't let you hurt Jace."

Soon after, conspiracy theories filled the internet. People claimed I was using Dad's death to gain sympathy, attract attention, and make money from it.

They said I was blowing things out of proportion and that I was jealous of my younger half-brother. People believed that was why my soon-to-be fiancee left me.

The overwhelming public opinion suffocated me. I suffered a mental breakdown and was diagnosed with severe depression.

But even then, I didn't give up on seeking justice for Dad. He had cared for me and protected me for 23 years. How could I call it quits so easily?

It was around that time that Erica began pursuing me intensely. She was meticulous in caring for me, and she constantly stayed by my side.

I thought she was an angel sent by the heavens and agreed to marry her.

Shortly after our wedding, the court ruled that Jace was not guilty.

I tried to let go of the past and to get better. I wanted to have a child with Erica and build a happy family with her. But what I thought was my salvation turned out to be nothing but proof of how deeply she loved Jace.

At some point, Erica walked up to me with an umbrella. Her brows that had been knitted in worry relaxed slightly the moment she saw me. A flicker of concern flashed in her eyes.

She said, "You left so suddenly. Why didn't you tell me you were going out? I was so worried. The weather's getting colder, and work is crazy at the end of the year. If you get sick, how am I supposed to take care of you?"

I wasn't surprised that Erica had found me. She'd installed a tracking app on my phone.

The reason she gave was that she was afraid my depression would spiral, causing me to lose control and harm myself unknowingly. She wanted to be there for me at all times.

I believed her.

But now I knew the truth. Erica was afraid I'd go after Jace. That was the real reason why she kept tabs on me.

My gaze dimmed. My nose reddened as I stared blankly at the snowflakes drifting from the sky.

I murmured, "I heard if you make a wish during the first snowfall, it's especially potent. So, I came out here to make one."

My first wish was to divorce Erica smoothly.

My second was that once the divorce was finalized, I'd never have to see her again.

My third wish was that I hoped Dad wouldn't hate me. I prayed he wouldn't hate me for falling in love with someone who did all she could to shield the man responsible for his death and for wanting to have a child with her.

Erica draped her coat over my shoulders and touched my face gently.

In a tender voice, she said, "Then you should put on more clothes. Look at your hands. They're freezing. By the way, what did you wish for just now?"

I stared at her blankly as she continued playing the role of a devoted wife.

"I made some wishes for us… and for my father," I replied.

Erica's expression stiffened, and she looked at me for a long moment before she started preaching.

"Jace is your half-brother, after all. You are family. He's heartbroken that Kenneth's gone too. You're each other's only family now. It's been three years already. Maybe it's time—"

"I understand," I cut her off. "I won't make trouble anymore."

I'd already gone to court, and Jace wasn't convicted. I didn't appeal back then. Even if I withdrew the letter of forgiveness now, it wouldn't change anything.

Erica quietly let out a breath of air she'd been unconsciously holding. She smiled and visibly relaxed.

"It's so good that you're finally letting go, Julian. New year, new beginnings. From now on, let's live well together. We'll be so very happy. I just know we will," Erica rambled.

I listened quietly without saying a word and went home with her.

Tori had already left. Erica said she had some work to do in the study room.

I sat in silence as emotions surged violently through me until I finished printing the divorce agreement.

Without hesitation, I signed it and headed straight for the study.

To my surprise, I found the door half open, but no one was inside.

It was the first time I had entered Erica's study. It was tidy and clean. On the desk was a photo of Jace. On the corner of the desk lay several pieces of paper, on which she had written his name over and over.

Each careful pen stroke spelled out a deep-seated crush.

I thought I would be able to face the truth calmly by now. But it turned out that I had overestimated myself. I felt a suffocating ache in my chest that threatened to tear me apart.

It hurt so much that I could barely breathe.